FRANCIS Jeffers today reflected on his roller coaster footballing career and said: “I think my nightmare is coming to an end.”The 26-year-old striker will be happy to make his loan move to Ipswich Town permanent having found his switch to Portman Road a big success.

By Elvin King

FRANCIS Jeffers today reflected on his roller coaster footballing career and said: “I think my nightmare is coming to an end.”

The 26-year-old striker will be happy to make his loan move to Ipswich Town permanent having found his switch to Portman Road a big success.

Due to feature in Ipswich's home Coca-Cola Championship clash with Derby County this afternoon, Jeffers has a contract at Blackburn until the summer of 2008.

But he would be happy to be a full time member of Jim Magilton's 2007/08 squad.

Rated as one of the hottest prospects England has produced when he burst into the Everton side as a teenager, Jeffers enjoyed a glittering Under-21 career getting close to a goal a game.

He gained one full England cap, but an £8 million move to Arsenal saw his career take a dip. A subsequent £2.6 million transfer to Charlton failed to improve matters and Jeffers then moved on to Blackburn on a free.

From 1997 Jeffers has made just 65 first team starts and netted 27 goals. He knows that he has plenty of lost time to make up.

“I had 18 months out through injury and then had a couple of moves when I was unable to settle,” said Jeffers.

“My entire career has been in the top flight of English or Scottish football, and this is the first time I have played in the Championship.

“Sitting on the bench and getting 15 minutes action here and there is not the answer and coming to Ipswich has been ideal.

“Gaining a hamstring injury was a blow, but I am now getting stronger with every game.

“I am due for a change of luck on the injury front and am hoping to play regularly from now on.

“Ipswich fans have not seen the best of me yet, but I think my nightmare is coming to an end.”

Jeffers has found everything to his liking since his move to Suffolk, and says that Ipswich deserve to be in the Premiership.

He added: “You only have to look at the manager and the training ground to see this club belongs in the top flight.

“And the fans have been supportive to me, which makes a big difference.”

Talking about his summer hopes, Jeffers said: “I will wait until the season is over and then approach Blackburn manager Mark Hughes.

“If he is happy for me to leave Blackburn then Ipswich would be my choice. I would then talk to Ipswich to agree a deal.”

Jeffers will be at the Ipswich Supporters' Player of the Year presentation event this evening.